European Workshop
Dear Elders and Family at Hillsboro,
Eleni and I send you greetings and love in our Savior’s name from Athens and His Church at Omonia. It is a little over a week since we returned from the Second Annual European Workshop (2007) in Lancaster, England. The event was hosted at the Lancaster University Grounds (a State University), Thursday, August 30 to Saturday, September 1st.
In a way most heartfelt and sincere, we wish to thank the Eldership of the Granny White Church for supporting our way to this event and covering our trip expenses. We are very thankful to the Lord, as we were offered the opportunity not only to proclaim God’s word, but also receive messages of encouragement from in-depth lessons from His word.
Let us give you an account of our trip and of the overall experience and impressions from this reach out.
There are no daily direct flights connecting Athens with Manchester – the closest British airport to Lancaster – but only through London. The weekly flights are on Thursdays (a workshop day), on Saturdays (also a workshop day) and on Mondays, so this was our only option. Because Euros are “ by nature” less expensive than the “noble” British Pounds, we decided to take the national Irish Air carrier – AerLingus – and fly to Dublin, Ireland. The multiple daily connecting flights from Dublin to Manchester (the mother land!) cost only five Euros – $ 7.00 plus applicable taxes!
We landed in Manchester on Thursday, just in time for the registration. Sister Debbie Woodcock – Paul Halliday’s mother drove the hundred miles distance both ways to the Manchester Airport and back to the campus. We are very thankful both to her and her husband Stephen (A high school teacher in science) stephen.woodcock@hotmail.co.uk. Both Stephen and Debbie worked quietly, but powerfully in support and service of this workshop, from photocopies of lessons, to tea, coffee and cookies, or the various needs of the day, being the key persons between all attendants and the University campus services – lodging and dining. They worked more than anyone else, these days.
Paul and Casey Beth Halliday, sweet young spirits and servants of His Church, organized and presented the event very effectively. Seventy-eight souls attended this year – versus fifty-four of last year. We wish more young folks attended the workshop. Keynote speaker every day was Dr. Randy Lowry, who came to the workshop with his wife Rhonda, a very talented speaker who delivered two sessions on Spiritual Formation. “Having attended Rhonda’s classes”, Eleni told me, “I felt very blessed and encouraged”. Dr. Lowry’s theme was “Dealing with difficult moments in Churches”. Copies of a 21-page excellent teaching outline and graphs were offered to everyone – matching his speech. There was also extra time for questions and answers – these classes met at a different time. We did not know that Dr. Lowry is a lawyer, having taught conflict-resolution at Pepperdine for over twenty-five years. Excellent lessons, well-understood and to the point – the “core” – or the “bone” of the matter, as the Greeks say. Together with the 36 C.D.s that include recording of all classes of the workshop – I have ordered and paid for a set – Dr. Lowry’s lessons can be used in small or larger groups as a useful teaching tool. When we will receive these C.D. from England I will add them in a high capacity DVD all in one!
Singing: Seeing was believing! Beautiful songs of the church, old, old ones, forgotten through the years, I would say, as I did not know a number of them. Good, old traditional hymns, from “The paperless hymnal”, with rich melody made alive by English voices in the auditorium. Song-leader was a very capable brother, Robert Limb, originally from the U.K., now living in France. Brother Terry Briley, Dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb delivered unsurpassed lessons on Isaiah, portraying Lord Jesus as our only Mediator and the only way through to our atonement, a “must listen to” series of lessons.
Other speakers included Bro. Alastair Ferrie, from Dundee, Scotland and his wife Linda, John Mooney, Vince O’Donovan (born in Cork, Ireland – migrated to England in 1968 – attending the Church in Morley. He is an elder. Jason Sneathen, originally from Oklahoma – working with the Church in Bristol, England. Larry Sullivan, serving the churches in Germany.
Frank Worgan. Frank was born in 1922 and having joined the Church fourteen years later, he dedicated all his life to the Lord through words and actions. He has spoken to over 150 congregations.
The spirit: A very balanced, lively and enthusiastic group of teachers and audience. You can even make plans and organize a church group to strengthen the workshop in the years to come.
The facilities were excellent – a great number of the dorm complexes are just three years old. The university is of a fairly good size – 30,00 students – graduate and undergraduate. The campus is humongous. Rooms are all in single occupancy, each with a functional office desk and all communication connections and of course en-suite bathroom – non-shared. Unobstructed view, overlooking the green fields of the British countryside made our stay even more agreable.
The cost per person for these two full days – lodging and all meals for £ 105.00. Price is not high – it is the currency that maybe makes it look so. Food was of quality restaurant level and buffet breakfast was top-loaded with anything your mind can imagine.
Maybe the workshop could go on for one more day – so more classes could be taught. Maybe next year.
Following the workshop, Stephen and Debbie Woodcock (Paul Halliday’s family) invited us to stay over their house in Wigan, south of Lancaster – closer to the Manchester Airport. Paul and Casey Beth drove to their home town after the workshop.
Our hosts also offered to us a brand new copy of the songbook of the Churches of Christ in England – by Albert E. Winstanley (Ulverston) and Graham A. Fisher (Aylesbury) – a completely English songbook with old songs, published by Eye-Opener Publications, Church of Christ, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire!
On Sunday, we worshipped with the Woodcocks at the local Church of Christ in Wigan – a loving group of thirty to thirty-four souls – very “conservative” and very lively in attitude. Larry Sullivan delivered the message. It was our first contact ever – since we left the Greek Orthodox “faith” – with a “one-cup” church. At six we returned for the Bible study.
On Monday our hosts took us to a day excursion to the British countryside – going north to the Lake District. We visited the picturesque Lake Windermere.
http://encarta.msn.com/map_701514016/Windermere_Lake.html
Right before we visited the lake Disdtrict, our hosts took us to the first Church of Christ church building on the British Isles – built in 1666 – long before Alexander Campbell was born. This is a generous proof that when souls meet in worship with just a Bible in their hand – a “ Church of Christ” is born”. We also visited the graveyard next to the Church. The church was lost in the fields, five miles far from any town or any other church – according to the decree of the persecution of the Church of England (Anglican). These brethren served His Church since the late 1600’s and the 1700’s.
Overall impression: A noteworthy workshop, newly formulated, with great potential, must be embraced by congregations and individuals, both in the U.S. and in the British Isles.
In His loving name
Alexander and Eleni Melirrytos
servants of Jesus